Lex tugged on her hand to get her attention, and Jillian flushed when she met Mona’s expectant eyes.She’d been so engrossed on her surrounding she must have missed their conversation.
“Mona Sinclair is the assistant manager at Noelle and your personal shopper from now on.She’ll find anything you need any time.Mona, this is the woman I adore, my future wife, Jillian Finnegan.”
Jillian’s breath stalled in her chest, eyes flying to his.He was looking at her as though he actually adored her.Did he mean it?
“Then congratulations are in order,” Mona said, her eyes searching Jillian’s hand for a ring that wasn’t there.
Jillian wanted to punch Lex.Why the hell did he introduce her like that?And without a warning.Luckily, Mona Sinclair was discreet enough not to ask about her ring.
“I hope you’ll come to us for your bridal lingerie, Ms.Finnegan,” Mona said.“Noelle Bridal is a favorite with celebrities and royalties.Harrods has been carrying it for the last three years.”
Jillian nodded, still too stunned to find her voice.She tugged at Lex’s hand and gave him a you-are-in-trouble-pal look.
“I have a room ready for you.This way please.”She led the way to the back of the showroom and pushed open a door.Jillian dragged her feet to create a healthy distance between them and the woman before speaking.
“Why did you do that?”she asked through clenched teeth.
“Do what?”Lex frowned, his expression perplexed.As if he really didn’t know what she was talking about.
“What you said to her.”
“Oh.Just speaking the truth,” he said, not bothering to lower his voice even though they were closer to Mona.“Youaregoing to be my wife.”
“I know.”It didn’t mean he had to tell everyone.Then there was the other part.
“And I adore you, Jillian Finnegan,” Lex added while staring into her eyes.Her breath caught again.“Don’t ever doubt that.”
Now he’d gone and done it.She was going to turn into a puddle right in the middle of this fancy store and thoroughly humiliate herself.The urge to run and hide so she could analyze what was happening to her followed.She couldn’t be falling for this man.No way.It would be stupid.
Lex lowered his head and whispered.“How did I do?Would I convince your father?”
Reality stung like an icy shower in the middle of summer.What was he doing to her?She was the improviser here, not him.She plastered a smile on her lips and hoped she was just as convincing.
“You nailed it, but Dad is out of the picture for now,” she whispered back.“Just remember to give me a heads-up before you do or say anything.”
“What’s the fun in that?”he asked.
“I don’t like surprises.”Especially when they put ideas in her head.The thought that he could actually adore her… No, she wasn’t going there.So he’d taken care of her and made love to her, big whoop.He got off on risqué sex in unusual places.Theirs was a work relationship.“Let’s not keep Ms.Sinclair waiting, boss.”
Jillian caught Mona watching them with an indulgent smile.She probably thought they were exchanging loving glances and whispering in each other’s ear.If only she knew.
Mona led them down a hallway of what looked like changing rooms, but the doors were too far apart and normal looking.Just before they followed her inside one of them, a stunning brunette stepped out of a door to their left, peered at them, and squealed.
“Lex!I thought I heard your voice.”Completely ignoring Jillian, she ran to Lex, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
A second passed.Then another.Oh for God’s sakes.
Jillian’s hands fisted.She had never considered herself the jealous type, but another woman kissing Lex pissed her off.They had a deal, damn it.No messing around behind the other’s back.Of course, they had also meant no sex during their fake relationship.She’d crossed that out the moment he’d kissed her.
She wanted to yank the woman by her hair and drag her off Lex.No, he was the one who needed a kick in the nuts.Face hot, Jillian took a step away from them, but his hand whipped out and grabbed her wrist.Her eyes flew to his face.
What the hell?His eyes were open, yet he wasn’t pushing the woman off him.
The brunette stepped back and said, “I’ve always wanted to do that and since you’re getting married…” She smacked his chest and continued to ignore Jillian.“How come you never asked me out?”
Lex gave a long-suffering sigh.“Because you’re not my type, Deedee.”
She laughed.“Bullshit.I am every man’s type.Ask Cade and Rod.I get a reaction from those two man-whores every time I walk into a room.”
